Two children die in tragic Cala house fire

A family near Cala in the Eastern Cape is mourning the deaths of two children after a devastating house fire destroyed their home earlier this week.

According to family members speaking to community members after the tragedy, the incident happened on Monday evening at around 23:00. The family said there was no electricity in the area at the time due to load shedding or a power outage.

Relatives explained that community members were alerted after flames broke out at the home while the children were inside. Strong winds reportedly made it difficult for people to enter the burning structure and assist.

“We called the police, we called traditional leaders,” a family member said.

By the time help arrived, the house had already been badly damaged. The family said the remains of the children were later found inside the structure.

The two children who died were identified by the family as a 13-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy.

Police and forensic officials were reportedly called to the scene as part of the investigation into the cause of the fire.

The family said the house and nearly all belongings inside were destroyed in the blaze, leaving surviving relatives with very little.

Community members, local traditional leaders, social development officials and disaster relief teams have since visited the family to offer support.

The family has appealed for assistance during the difficult period, saying the children’s grandmother is unwell and deeply traumatised by the tragedy.

The exact cause of the fire has not yet been officially confirmed.